What’s HOT South Florida (8/22 - 8/29)

On Friday night I went by Boom for their Latin Fever night to catch the show hosted by Natasha Danielle Heart, who put together a cast of new girls to perform for you every Friday. It was great to see Natasha, all the girls, Chris, Sal and of course my sista Diego.

Later on that night Twist presented, direct from Australian Idol, Courtney Act, who performed to the South Beach crowd. The buzz was building for weeks, and Saturday night The Manor presented Deborah Cox live in concert to a PACKED HOUSE! Now I have seen The Manor packed before, but this was beyond compare.....you couldn't move in any of the many rooms/areas they have. Congrats to Brett, Paul, Gary, Jason and the entire staff on once again hitting it out of the park!

In Fort Lauderdale, Equality Florida presented a Equali-T T-Dance at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa, and the boys came out to support such a great organization and to get some sun. In Miami, Sunday seemed to belong to Marytrini. First she had an all-star comedy show at the Manuel Artime Theater that brought together the gay and straight community for an afternoon of laughter and just plain fun. Afterwards it was Noche De Cabaret at Coliseum in Doral with her co-hostess La Raddisson and special guests Viva Mirage, Solange, Concha, Pavel and Herman. Once again it was a spectacular show!

Thursday, August 22

Swinging Richards, the only male strip club that bares it all, is moving to Pompano Beach (1350 SW 2nd Street) starting tonight. The new club will be open Tuesday thru Sunday from 5 pm to 2 am and feature 3 stages, upscale VIP rooms, state of the art lighting and sound and stay tuned for the full service kitchen opening in September. For more information, go to Florida.SwingingRichards.com.

The Miami-Dade Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (MDGLCC) presents its Spotlight Mega-Mixer Networker from 6pm to 9pm at the beautiful Biltmore Hotel (1200 Anastacia, Coral Gables). They will feature complimentary hors d'oeuvres & cocktails courtesy of Grey Goose Vodka with a cash bar for other beverages. Mingle and network with Chamber members, guests and the community at large. Leverage the "Business Cards Bulletin Board" and members of the "Membership Committee" who will be present to answer inquiries and make introductions /connections. This event is complimentary for MDGLCC members in good standing and $10 general admission for all others and will feature drawings for great prizes. RSVP at GayBizMiami.com, or by calling 305-673-4440.

Saturday, August 24

The Pet Project presents a Doggie Pool Party from 11 am to 4 pm at Hidden Treasures Thrift Store (2200 NW 9th Avenue). They invite you to swim, play, and frolic, and have lunch with fellow pets and pet owners. Admission is $5 per dog, and lunch is $5 per person with treats for pets free.

It's the annual "Macy's Shop for a Cause," which gives you the opportunity to give back to your community and help the Pride Center and Compass Community Center in Palm Beach. Purchase a $5 shopping pass for exclusive savings in every Macy's store and the Pride Center in Fort Lauderdale and Compass in Palm Beach keeps 100% of the proceeds. In addition you can enter to win a $500 Macy's Gift Card.

The Teal Party is a benefit to support the health and life of Greg whsf sattealHardy (co-chair of the RBC), from 6-9pm at the Manor. Greg is battling colon cancer and needs our support more than ever! There will be live performances, a DJ and a silent auction. Admission is $25 and includes a free drink and VIP admission is $125 ($150 at door) and includes unlimited open bar and Hors d'oeuvres. To purchase tickets or for more details go to TealPartyBenefit.com

Later that night, the Manor presents "RuPaul's Drag Race" superstar Shangela live with special guest DJ Sushiro in the Ball Room, and Noche Latina Saturdays presents the weekly hot Latin party, Papi, hosted by Viva Mirage and starring DJ Larry Larr with special guest Athena Dion (Miss Noche Latina 2013) along with Latin Papi dancers. 10:30 pm to 4 am with no cover!

Discotekka presents a Luau Party in honor of resident DJ Carlos G's birthday bash. The night will star, from Mexico City, Pure House Records star DJ Erich Ensastigue, Dj Tony in the Latin Room and of course the birthday boy DJ Carlos for after hours along with cast members Poizon, Sasha, TP, Gina and Cherry.

After a 4 month absence, catch the one and only Auntie Mame performing again back at the world famous Boardwalk.

Monday, August 26

Tonight is the semi finals at the very successful Boom Voice competition. The top 2 will sing for the judge's votes. In addition there will be special performances by judges Phillip Alexander and Andy Fiacco. Make sure you attend and scream for your winner!

Wednesday, August 28

The Pride Center's Art Gallery presents the Arts United Room 206 Gallery with the opening reception from 6-8pm with the show running until September 14th.

Hot Stuff

Zuckerello's has a new offer where if you purchase $40 or more you receive a $10 gift card. Check out the ad in this week's magazine for more details.

The Fort Lauderdale Comedy Club (840 East Oakland Park Blvd) presents the Catskills Comedywhsf comedy Club where they invite you to come out and see comedy shows every Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Thursdays is open mic and features no cover. For more information call 954-600-5816 or go to TheCatskillsComedyClub.org.

Stonewall Archives and Library recently went to the house of original Studio 54 bartender (now bartending at Boom), Sal Defalco, and documented all his pictures and news paper Interviews including those in The New York times, The Advocate, Miami herald, The Agenda, and Pictures of Fire Island, Studio 54, The Saint NYC, and the reopening of the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street with a dear Friend of Sal's, Jimmy Pisano.

Kudos to my boy (well he doesn't know that yet), "Watch What Happens Live" star Andy Cohen, who announced that he would not be a co-host of this year's Miss Universe pageant, telling E! News that he's "concerned for his safety." According to E! News: "The law is that anyone under suspicion of homosexuality can be arrested," Cohen told his Miss Universe pageant co-host, E! News journalist Guiliana Rancic, adding that he "didn't feel right as a gay man stepping foot into Russia." Both Trump and the Miss Universe Organization have remained silent on the petition that Francesco Pascuzzi started.

However, Francesco hopes Andy Cohen's decision to boycott the pageant won't go unnoticed. Says Francesco: "Andy Cohen's decision to boycott hosting the Miss Universe pageant sends a very loud and clear message that Russia needs to be held accountable for its brutal and violent crackdown on gay rights. There are more than 20,000 people who've signed my petition, and we're going to keep the pressure on the Miss Universe pageant to pull out of Moscow, in order to make sure all contestants and spectators are safe." You can check out the petition and live signature totals at: Change.org/MissUniverse.

This is HOT

"Bashment" is the latest from director Rikki Beadle-Blair ("KickOff," "FIT," "Metrosexuality"). JJ (Joel Dommett, MTV UK, Skins UK), an aspiring MC, is on the cusp of wowing the crowds and winning the Urban Slam finals with his lyrical prowess. However there's a problem -- he's white, from the countryside, and gay -- three things that don't mix well in London's outlaw urban music scene. After outing himself on stage and angering his rivals, the Illford Illmaniacs, they savagely beat his boyfriend Orlando into a state of permanent brain damage. With their lives changed forever, adversity forces all of them to tackle their own perceptions of sexuality, race, and class in ways they never could have imagined. Bashment (noun): A type of reggae dancehall music. "Bashment," which is 110 minutes long, won the 2012 British Independent Film Festival -- Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Music, and is on sale at WolfeVideo.com for only $19.95